that he would prove a good comrade. He had himself been taking
observations of me, for he suddenly placed his hand upon my knee as we
rode side by side.

'I trust that the Emperor is not displeased with you,' said he, with a
very grave face.

'I cannot think that he can be so,' I answered, 'for I have come from
England to put my services at his disposal.'

'When the report was presented last night, and he heard of your presence
in that den of thieves, he was very anxious that you should be brought
to him. Perhaps it is that he wishes you to be guide to us in England.
No doubt you know your way all over the island.'

The hussar's idea of an island seemed to be limited to the little
patches which lie off the Norman or Breton coast. I tried to explain to
him that this was a great country, not much smaller than France.

'Well, well,' said he, 'we shall know all about it presently, for we are
going to conquer it. They say in the camp that we shall probably enter
London either next Wednesday evening or else on the Thursday morning.
We are to have a week for plundering the town, and then one army corps
is to take possession of Scotland and another of Ireland.'

His serene confidence made me smile. 'But how do you know you can do
all this?' I asked.

'Oh!' said he, 'the Emperor has arranged it.'